Quinn's chief spokesman bows out

Gov. Pat Quinn's chief spokesman is leaving state government, and the governor is tapping a top staffer for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart to replace him.

Bob Reed joined Quinn's staff shortly before Quinn became governor upon the impeachment and removal of Rod Blagojevich, whose federal political corruption trial started Thursday.

Reed said he envisioned holding the demanding job for just a year, and that after 18 months of fielding questions from reporters at all hours of the day, it's time to return to his writing and consulting business.

Replacing Reed is Bill Cunningham, who is Dart's chief of staff, an official with sheriff's department told the Tribune.